Box binding machine



July 19, 1.932. I 1 A. v. SULLIVAN 1,868,182

BOX BINDING MACHINE Fiied Oct. 22, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 3? Z5 7 Jr] P/ZZ5@/Z5Z 2Z9 2Z6 o O/ A TTORNEYS.

July 19, 1932. A. v. SULLIVAN 1,863,182

BOX BQINDINVG MACHINE v Filed Oct. 22. 1930 'T-Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.25527- .9044 #440 wax/PX A TTORNEYS.

July 19, 1932.

A. V. SULLIVAN BOX BINDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1950 "7 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. flif/i' azz/147w A. V. SULLIVAN BOX BINDING MACHINE Filed Oct.22, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 19, 1932.

July-19, 1932. A. v. SULLIVAN BOX BINDING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledOct. 22, 1930' INVENTOR. 74557V504UW7W BY Jilly 19, 1932. A. v; SULLIVANBOX BINDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

July 19, 1932. A. v. SULLIVAN BOX BINDING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FiledOct. 22, 1930 INVENTOR. flat-er 52/11 ////7/Y ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 19, 1932 UNITED S A-"res PATENTS OFFICE ALBERT'V'pSULLIVAN, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO EAGLE NAILING MA-CHINE CO. LTD, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIABOX mirnme MACHINE Application fil ed October 22, 1930. Serial No.490,464.

This invention relates generally to machines for binding boxes, bundlesor the like with wire or other equivalent metallic elements. It relatesparticularly to machines of this character in which the ends of the wireare secured together by electrical welding.

It is a general object of the invention to devise a box binding machinewhich will be reliable in operation, which will have a relatively highcapacity, and in which all of the various functions of the machine willbe performed automatically.

It is a further object of the invention to devise a machine of the abovecharacter which will eiiect a relatively strong electrical weld betweenthe ends of the binding wire or other metallic binding element, andwhich will have novel means for properly holding and positioning theoverlapping ends of the wire during a welding operation. 4

It is a further object of the invention to devise novel means forpositioning the metallic binding. element upon four sides of the box orother bundle being bound, whereby after the overlapping ends of thebinding element have been secured together, the element will berelatively tight upon the box.

It is a further object of the invention to devise means which willproperly subject a wire or equivalent binding element to furthermechanism for laying the wire about four sides of the box being bound.In this connection the machine is characterized by the fact that thebinding wire is cut to a predetermined length prior to'being presentedto mechanism for positioning the wire about the sides and top of the boxto be bound.

' Further objects of the invention will appear from the followingdetailed description in which the preferred embodiment has been setforth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is tobe understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range ofequivalents consistent with the state of the prior art. I

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a ma chine incorporating thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the. machine shown in Flg. 1.

ciated with the lower disclose Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectionalview taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the arts mounted upon the head of themac ine, looking at the left hand end of the machine as illustrated inFig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional detail taken along the line 5-5 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view, partly in cross section, illustratingcertain parts assoart of the machine. This view is taken lookm at theleft end of the machine as illustratef in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional detail taken along the line 7-7 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 8-8 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 9-9 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 1010 ofFig. 5.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan detail view of the clutch mechanism forminga part of the machine.

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 1212 of Fig. 11.

Fig. ,13 is a circuit diagram illustrating electrical connections in thewelding electrodes.

The s ecific form in which the invention is 5 consists of suitablemeansfor supporting a box in position to be bound. A mechanism is provided topositioning a severed length of wire beneath the box, with the ends ofthe wire protruding from both of the box sides. Suitable mechanism then.en-

gages the protruding portions of the wire to la 0 the box, after whichthe wire is engaged by means for bending and laying the same inoverlapping relationship upon the top of the box. A presser memberengages the overlap ing ends of the wire while welding electro es engagethe overlapping portions to form a suitable electrical weld connection.

Following the binding of the box, it can be repositioned upon itssupport for binding at a different oint, or it can be removed from thesup ort 'or permitting binding. of subsequent oxes.

the same upon the front and back sides an enlarged portion 36 formed upReferring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the machine as illustrated consistsof a suitable frame structure 10, which is provided with a base portion11. The frame also includes a stationary horizontal bracket 12 abovewhich a box is positioned for a binding operation, and positioned abovebracket 12 suitable guide means is rovided such as the spaced angle bars13. en the machine is in operation angle bars 13 are spaced apart aproper distance to receive the box to be bound. As shown in Fig. 3,bracket 12 is provided with an elongated slot 14 extending central- 1y.thereof, and angle bars 13 are interrupted to from gaps correspondingto the width of this slot. he frame 10 also includes an upstandingbracket 16 upon which an adjustable P head 17 is mounted. When a box 18to be bound is laced upon bracket 12, it is immediately elow adjustablehead 17 and is in sition for a binding operation.

To facilitate making the various functions of the machine automatic, itis preferable to utilize a single source of ower which in this instanceis represented by electric motor 19 (Fig. 1). This motor is suitablymounted u on base portion 11 and is connected to e working parts of themachine by a suitable speed reducing drive 21 (Fig. 3). '14srepresentative of a suitable speed reducing gearing pinion 22 of motor19 is shown engaging a gear 23. Gear 23 is connected to a worm orplanetary gear assembly mounted within housing 24. Shaft 26 extendingfrom housin 24 (Fig. 11), operates at a reduced speed with respect tothe motor' shaft and is connected to the various working parts of themachine through a suitable clutc assembly 27. Clutch assembly 27 servesto operably connect shaft 26 with the horizontal shaft 28 and a verticalshaft 29 (Fig. 1), and is initiated in operation by a suitable manuallycontrolled member such as a foot lever 31. As will be presentlyexplained clutch assembly 27 drives shafts 28 and 29 when foot lever 31is depressed and released, and is automaticall disengaged to interruptdriving of sha s 28 and 29 after shaft 26 has completed a predeterminedangular movement. Shafts 28 and 29 are preferably connected together bymeans of the-bevel or miter gears 33 and 34.

The clutch-assembly 27 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 3, 11 and 12.It consists of on one end of shaft 28. Portion 36 is rovided with arecess as indicated at 37, an mounted within this recess there is apivoted dog 38. Dog 38 o erates within a cavity 39 provided in the emaleclutch member 40 formed on the free end of shaft 26, and the innerperiphery of clutch member 40 is toothed as shown to enga e with dog 38when member 40. is rotat in a counterclockwise direction as viewed inFig. 12. Compression spring 41 normally urges dog 38 toward engagedposition.

In order to control operation of the clutch assembly described abovefoot lever 31, which is pivotally mounted to the frame of the machine asindicated-at 42, is provided with an upwardly extending arm 43. Theupper end 0 arm 43 is provided with a cam member 44; Lever 31 isnormally biased toward its uppermost, position by compression spring 45.In the rotation of clutch member 40, the projecting edge of dog 38 isbrought into contact with. cam face 46 and the dog 38 thus disengagedfrom clutch member 40. Cam member 46 is mounted upon one end of bar 47,and this bar in turn. is slidingly suported by stationary bracket 48.The other end of bar 47 carries a pin 49 which extends in the path ofmovement of cam 44. Spring 50 serves to normall urge cam 46 towardsclutch member 40. am 44 is pivotally connected to arm 43 and is springiased toward a limiting position in which it engages pin 49 inits pathof movement. When foot lever 31 is released cam 44 trips over pin 49 andcam 46 remains in the position as shown in Figs. 5, 11 and 12 to retaindog 38 in re-.

leased position. Upon depressing foot lever 31 cam 44 initially engagespin 49 and movement of this pin causes movement of cam 46 to release dog38. The clutch is thereupon immediately engaged. Upon completingmovement of lever 31 pin '49 is disengaged from cam 44, whereupon cam 46is returned toitsnormal positibn b the spring 50 to effect disengagementof the clutch when one revolution is completed. v

The means for feeding the wire or other metal binding element consistsof a pair of feed rollers 51 and 52, illustrated in detail in Fig. 9.Roller 51 is loosely mounted upon one end of a shaft 53, this shaftbeing journaled in a bracket 54 extending rearwardiy of the frame of themachine. Roller 52 is carried by a shaft 55 one portion 56 of which isjournaled to bracket 54, and another portion 57 'of which is excentricto portion 56. Roller 52 is journaled to the shaft portion 57, wherebyupon rotation of shaft 55 it can be urged toward roller 51. An arm 58 isfixed to shaft 55, and by means of an adjustable thumb nut 59, varyingforces can be applied to arm 58 tending to rotate the same in onedirection. Rings 61 are mounted upon rollers 51 and 52, and theperipheral surfaces 0 these rings are provided with. ooves 62 adapted toregister as shown in ig. 9. In order to cause both rollers to rotate insynchronism, their peripheral portions are also provided withinter-engaging gear teeth 63. As shown in Fig-"'1, the wire from asuitable source of supply, such guide tube 64, and engaged betweenrollers 51 and 52. After assin thru rollers 51 and 52 the wire is led ruanother guide tube 66.

as a reel, is fed thru a The guiding means for periodically rotateduponone end of shaft 53 (Fig 9). A casing 68 is swiveled to shaft 53,and slidably extended thru casing 68 there is a gear rack 69 whichengages the teeth of pinion 67. Referring to Fig. 1 it will be notedthat a wheel 71 is mounted upon one end of shaft 28. and that this wheelis connected to one end The actual connection between rod 72 and theteeth of ratchet wheel wheel 71 can consist of a crank pin 73' carriedby a journal block. which in turn is ad justably mounted in the radialgroove 74. Referring again to Fig. 9 ratchet wheel 76 is mounted uponthe end of shaft 53 remote from pinion 67. v A pawl 77 is mounted uponroller 51, and this pawl is spring biased so as to be normally urgedinto en agement with 76. Therefore upon reciprocation of rack 69responsive to rotation of wheel 71, ratchet wheel 76 is recurrentlyoscillated in opposite directions; in .one direction pawl 77 ratchetsover its cooperating teeth, and in the other direction pawl 77 engagesthe ratchet teeth to rotate rollers 51 a predetermined angular amount.

Additional means for guiding the wire fed thru rollers 51 and 52consists of a pair of relatively movable bars 81 and 82. (Figs. 1 and8). Bar 81 is fixed to the main frame of the machine whereby the wire asfed by rollers 51 and 52 passes longitudinally over theupper surface ofthe same. The lower face .of bar 82 is provided with a longitudinalgroove 83 adapted to accommodate the wire and the end of this groovenearest the source of wirecan be widened. During a certain portion ofthe cycle of operation of the machine bar 82 is moved to an out of theway position to release the wire. To accomplish this result bar 82 iscarried by a laterally extending portion 84, which in turn is mountedupon the upper end of arm 86. (Fig. 8).

'- Arm 86 is in turn mounted upon ahorizontal shaft 87, which isjournaled to one side of bracket 54. (Figs.1 and 2.) Arm 88 (Fig.1) isalso mounted upon shaft 87, and carries a cam roller 89 at its lowerend. Cam member 1 91 is adjustably mounted upon wheel 71, and

is provided with cam surface 92 adapted to engage roller 89 'durinrotation of wheel 71. (Fig. 7). Therefore uring a portion of the angularmovement of wheel 71, cam member 91, by striking roller 89, rocks shaft87 a certain angular amount, to cause bar 82 to move upwardly andawayfrom bar 81, as shown in dotted lines in Fi 8.

It may be explained at this time that a wire fed by rollers 51 and 52and passing'between bars 81 and 82, can pass between bracket 12 and a'box 18 positioned above the same- Since immediately before the wire islaid upon the sides and top of the box, its forward v end protrudes asubflantial distance from the termined lengths an additional guide tube96 I is adj ustably mounted between guide tube 66, and bars 81' and'82.A cutting blade 97 is positioned adjacent one end of tube 96, (Fig. 7)and this blade is slidably mounted in the bracket 98, upon which tube 96is mounted. The lower end of blade 97 is adjustably fixed within asocket member 99 which iii-turn is slidably retained by a guide portion101, depending from bracket 98. An actuating finger 102 is adjustablymounted upon shaft 87, and this finger engages the lower end of socketmember 99. Tension spring 103 serves to normally bias shaft 87 in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7. 'hen cam member 91engages roller 89 to rock shaft 87 in a clockwise direction as viewed inFig. 7, finger 102 elevates blade 97 to sever the wire extending thrutube 96.

The means forpositioning the binding wire upon the front and back sidesof the box 18, referably consists of' across head 106, which is disposedbeneath bracket 12. (Figs. 1 and 6). This cross head is slidably mountedupon a pair of spaced parallel rods 107 which of each arm 108 is forkedto provide an upwardl'y faced V-shapednotch 112. The up-. per portion113 of each arm is also curved I convexly as shown in Fig. 1, for apurpose which will be resently explained. In order to permit an. a justment of the space between arms 108, thus permit-ting the machlne toaccommodate itself to boxes of different sizes, it is convenient to formthe cross head 106 with adjustable right angle members 114, to which thearms 108, are mounted as has been previously described. These members114 are adjustably secured to the main body of the cross head by meansof cap screws 116. As shown in Fig. 6, the upper ends of forked arms 108preferably extend thru slots 14. in bracket 12 so that upon elevation ofcross to bound.

For elevating and lowerm the cross head at 119. A link 121 has a pivotalconnection -head 106 these arms are projected upwardly I ad'acent thefront and back sides of the box ,5 124 (Fig. 1) which is adapted toengage in a cam groove 126 formed in the inner face ofwhee171. Thereforeupon rotation of Wheel 71 beam 118 is repeatedly oscillated with amovement determined by the character of cam groove 126.

For laying and securing the wire about box 18 it is desirable to urgethe box upwardly against the lower face of the head structure 17. Toaccomplish this result a plate 128 is disposed upon bracket 12 andbetween the guide members'13 (Fig. 1), this plate being guided by pins130 which are shdingly retained in apertures formed in bracket 12.Alined pivot pins 129 are mounted upon bracket 12 below plate 128, theaxis of these pins being normal to the plane of forked arms 108. Fingers131 are pivotally carried by pins 129, and each finger is provided witha slidable spring pressed plunger 132. (Figs.

1 and 6). Secured to and depending from fingers 131, are the arms 133.The lower-ends of arms 133 terminate in outwardly and opposite curvedportions 134. These arms are adapted to be engaged and actuated bymembore 136 which have upper rounded ends, and which are mounted uponopposite sides of cross head 106. I As isevident from Fig. 1 when crosshead 106 is elevated members 136 are imposed between arms 133, thusspread ing these arms to move fingers 131'upwardly.

Spring pressed plungers 132 are thus cause to elevate plate 128 againstthe bottom of the box 18.

It may be explained at this point that at the time of u ward movement ofcross head 106, a length '0 wire extending below box 18 and in alinementwith the notches 112 in arms 108, is laid upon the front and back Sidesof the box. Subsequently the wire is engaged by parts associated withhead 17 to bend the ends of the wire u on the top of the box and tosecure the over ap ing portions together. The head 17 prefera lyconsists of a body portion 141, which is mounted for vertical adjustmentu on the upstanding frame bracket 16. us bracket 16 is shown providedwith a vertical track 142 which is slidably engaged by body 141. A feedscrew 143 is threaded thru a nut fixed to body 141 and.

can be rotated by convenient hand wheel 144.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a horizontal shaft146 is journaled upon thebody 141 and 1s operably connected to the vertical shaft 29 by means ofmiter gears 147 and 148. Gear 148 is splined to shaft 29 to permit.vertical movement of the head.

To effect engagement with the wire to lay and bend the same upon the topof the box,

a air ofwire engaging tools 151 are provi ed. These tools are in theform of'bars rotation of shaft 146.

beveled as indicated at 152 on their inner opposed ends, and providedwith wire engaging 'grooves 153 (Fig. 4), in their lower faces. They areslidably carried by guide members 154 whereby they are constrained tomove in a plane parallel to the top surface of the box. ation a compoundmovement is imparted to these tools 151. While the wire is being laidupon the front and back sides of the box these tools are in a retractedposition. However, .when arms 108 reach their uppermost position thesetools are projected into the lane of the wire, after which they aremoved inwardly in opposite directions to engage and lay the wire uponthe top of the box.

The projection of tools 151 into the plane of the wire is effected byvirtue of the fact that guide members 154 are movably mounted upon thebody 141. Thus referring to Fig. 4, each of the guide members 154 ismounted upon a horizontal rod 156, which in turn is slidably carriedupon-the under side of head 141. A collar 157 is mounted upon each rod156 and a compression spring 158' pressing upon collar 157 tends tonormally bias each rod 156 and its associated guide member 154, to aretracted position. Angular movements of guide member 154 are preventedby pins 159, which project from the same, and which slidably engageapertures in head 141. Rods 156 are actu ated by means deriving itsmovement from Thus referring to Figs. 4 and 5, a rock shaft 162 iscarried (1 by head 141, and extends parallel to rotatable shaft 146. Arm163 mounted upon shaft 162 is provided with a'roller 164 at its freeend. Cam 166 mounted upon shaft 146 is adapted to engage roller 164, torock shaft 162. Referring'to Fig. 4, fingers 167 are also mounted uponopposite ends of shaft 162, and engage the ends of pins 156. Thereforefor each revolution of shaft 146, cam 166 rocks shaft 162 toperiodically project rods 156, together with the tools 151.

In order to cause tools 151 to move inwardly in opposite directionsafter they are projected, a pair of levers 169 (Fig. 1) are providedwith pivotal connections 171 with the body 141. The lower end oflevers169 are forked and extending into these forks are pins 172projecting laterally from tools 151. The upper ends of levers 169 areprovided .with rollers 173 (Fig. 4), and these rollers are adapted toengage the curved surfaces 174 of duplicate cams 176. Cams 176 are alsomounted upon the rotatable shaft 146. The formation of the cam surfaces174 are such that after tools 151 are projected as has been previouslydescribed, levers 169 are simultaneously rocked in opposite'directionsto move tools 151 inwardly. After the overlapping endsof the Wire havebeen secured together as will be presently exlVhcn the machine is inoperplained, tools 151 are first moved outwardly 1n opposite directions,andthen retracted from the plane of the wire.

It has been previously mentioned that the 5 preferred manner of securintogether the overlapping edges of the bin ing wire is to weld themtogether electrically. Thus referring to Figs. 4, 5 and I rovide twostationary welding electrodes 1 7, and two movable electrodes 178.Electrodes 177 are in the form of conductor bars which are disposed ingrooves 179 provided in a suitable mounting plate 181. (Fig. 10.) Plate181 is in turn mounted in a vertical plane upon a standard 182, which inturn is mounted upon the body 141 as shown in Fig. 5. Suitableinsulation between plate 181 and standard 182 prevents direct electricalconnection between electrodes 177 and the remainder of the metal partsof the machine.

Lock bars 183 serve to remova-bly fix the electrodes 177 to plate 181.

Movable electrodes 178 are also in the form of conductor bars which aredisposed in grooves 184 provided in a plate 186. Plate 186 is in turnmounted upon a block.187, and this block is adjustably carried byastructure to be presently explained. A laminated bus conductor 188extends between plate 186 and block 187, and this assembly is retainedtogether by bolt 189. This bolt is threaded into a bar 191 which islocked in recesses in electrodes 178, and is insulated from block 187 bythe insulating bushings 192. The structure upon which block 187 ismounted consists of a swinging arm 193 (Figs 4 and 5) which is rovidedwith side spending portions 194 nected lateral members 196. Block 187extends between lateral members 196 and is adj ustably secured theretoby the cap'screws 197. Electrical connection to the stationaryelectrodes 177 can be made thru the bus' conductor 198, which isconnected to plate 181.- (Fig. 5.) i

Arm 193 is pivotally carried by a shaft 199 which extends in ahorizontal direction, and which in turn iscarried by standard 182. Itsmovements are determined by lever 201 which is also carried by shaft199. It's forward portion 202 is loosely connected to a projectingportion 203 of arm 193. (Fig. 4.) Acompression spring 206 surroundingpin 204 normally urges portions 202 and 203 apart, so that arm 193 isnormally urged in a clockwise direction with respect to lever- 201, asviewed in Figs. 4 and 5. The other portion 207 of lever 201 carries aroller 208,

' arranged to engage the surface of a cam 209. (Fig.,5.) This cam isalso mounted upon shaft 146 and the contour of-its surface is such as toproperly time movements of arm 193, together with the movableelectrodes. p

. As will be apparent from Fig. 10, the elecig. 1), and con-.

trodes serve to engage two s aced portions of the overlapping wires. 11order to insure proper. arrangement of the wires and in order to holdthe ends of the wires during a welding operation, it is preferable toprovide additional wire gripping means. This means in this instance isformed by a presser block 211 (Figs. 5 and 10), which is mounted uponthe projecting portion 212 of a slidable bar 213. As shown in Fig. 10

presser block 211 during a welding operation is disposed between theelectrodes 177 and 178, to press 'down upon the portions of the wireextending between the electrodes. This block must also be given acompound movement in order to retract and project it into the plane ofthe wire. Thus bar 213 is provided with ankled' slots 214 which areengaged by stationary pins 216. Thus when bar 213 is elevated it isfirst moved vertically to lift block 211 and then laterally to retractthe block from the plane of the wire. Movements of bar 213 are effectedby an arm 217 which is loosely mounted upon shaft 162 (Fig. 5). Camroller 218- on time 217 engages the surface of a cam 219, mounted uponshaft 146. The end of arm 217 has a pivotal connection 221 with a oke222. Bolt 223 connects the upper end 0 yoke 222 with.

bar 213, while a compression spring 224 provides a resilient connection.

In order to properly control the supply of current to the weldingelectrodes a timing switch 226 is also provided (Fig. 4). This switchcan consist 0 an arm 227 carry ing a roller contact 228. Contact 228ccoperates with stationary roller contact 229. Arm 227 is biased towardopen position by compression spring 231. Shaft 146 carries a cam 232,and interposed between the surface of this cam and arm 227 there is aslid able actuating pin 233-.

The electrlcal connections for the electrodes and the weldingtransformer areone or more boxes have been previously bound andthat theoperator is about to bind a box which has just been laced above thetable bracket 12. Motor 19 is operating continuously but shafts 28 and29 are stationary. During the preceding cycle of operation rollers 51and 52 have revolved in opposite directions to feed the wire between thebars 81 and 82, and beneath the box 18 during the last part of the cyclewhile operations are taking place u on the top of the box. Upondepression pedal 31 shafts 28 and .29 are started in rotation, andengagement of cam member 91 with roller 89 causes blade 97 to sever thewire. The severed length of wire whichunderlies box' 18 is of sufiicientlength to entirely encompass the box with overlapping portions forforming a weld connection, and the portions of the wire which extendfrom the front and back sides of the box are substantially equal.Immediately after the wire has been severed upward movement of crosshead 106 commences, and the wire is engaged by forked arms 108. Itshould be noted that at this time tools 151 are in retracted positionout of the plane of the arms 108 and out of the plane of the wire. thesides of the box they are sprung outwardly to a limited extent wherebythe wire is tensioned across the bottom of the box and about the lowercorners. At the same time that arms 108 commence upward movement plate128 is pressed upwardly against the bottom of the box so that the wireis gripped and the bottom of the box is elevated and pressed intocontact with the lower surface of the head body 141. When arms 106 havereached their uppermost position shafts 29 and 146 arerotated asuflicient anular distance to cause tools 151 to be proected into theplane of the wire. Immediately thereafter tools 151 are moved inwardlyto bend the ends of the wire upon the top surface of the box, and inoverla ping relationship as shown in Fig. 10. en tools 151 have movedinwardly to the limit-of their movement bar 213 (Fig. is moveddownwardly to brin the presser block 211 into engagement witIi theoverlapping portions of the wire between the electrodes. At the sametime that the presser block 211 is moved into engagement with the Wire,the

movable electrodes 178 are swung downward:

ly and inwardly toward the stationary electrodes, to rip the overlappingwire portions and at the same time immediate y adjacent the sides ofbiock 211, as shown in Fig. 10. At the instant the electrodes grip thewire, or immediately-thereafter switch 226 is closed for an. intervalsuflicient to weld the wires together. After the weld has been completedmo able electrodes 178 swing outwardly and upwardly, ressure black 211moves mto disengaged. osition and the tools 151 are retracted. T e boxis new tied and can be expelled for the binding of a new box.

I claim:

1. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, means for encompassing abox with a metallic bindin element with the ends of the element in overapping relationship directly against one side of the box, and means forAs arms 108 move upwardly along.

welding together the overlapping portions of the element.

2. In a machine for binding boxes and the, like, means for positioning ametallic binding element about the box with the ends of the element inoverlapping relationship directly against one side of the box, and meansfor electrically welding the overlapping portions of the elementtogether at at least two points.

3. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, means for positioning ametallic binding element about the box with the ends of theelement inoverlapping relationship on one side of the box, means for pressing theoverlapping portions of the element against one side of the box, andmeans for electrically welding the overlapping portions of the elementtogether at at least two oints.

4. In a machine for binding oxes and the like, means for positioning ametallic binding element about the box with the ends of the element inoverlapping relationshi on one side of the box, a presser member a aptedto engage said overlapping portions and to press the same against saidside of the box, and welding electrodes adapted to engage saidoverlapping portions adjacent opposite sides of the presser member.

5. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, means for positioning ametallic binding element about the box with the ends of 'the element inoverlapping relationship on one side of the box, a presser memberadapt-' ed to engage said overlapping portions and to press the sameagainst said side of the box,

two pair of welding electrodes adapted to be positioned adjacentopposite sides of the presser member, and means for causing theelectrodes to engage said overlapping portions at spaced points adjacentsa1d opposite sides ofthe presser member.

6. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, box supporting means,mechanism for.

positioning a metallic binding element about said box with the ends ofthe element in over-' lapping relationship adjacent one side of the box,and means operatlve automatically res onsive to operation o'f saidmechanism for irectly welding the overlapping portions of said elementtogether.

7. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, box supporting means,means for positioning, a length of wirebelow said box, a pair offorked-arms adapted to engage the ends of the wire, said arms beingspaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the box, andmeans for elevating said arms to lay-the ends of the wire adjacentopposite sides of the box. v

8. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, box supporting means,means for positioning a length of wire below saidbox, a pair of forkedarms adapted to engage the ends of the wire, said arms being spacedapart a distance substantially equal to the width of the box, means forelevating said arms to lay the wire adjacent opposite sides of the box,and means for laying the wire in gverlapping relationship upon the topof the 9. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, a box support, anoperating head adapted to overlie a box upon the support, av verticallymovable plate adapted to underlie said box, means for positioning alength of a metallic binding element below the box and above said plate,means for positioning the ends of the wire about the sides and top ofthe box, and means for elevating said plate to force the box againstsaid head during said last mentioned operation.

16. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, a box support, meansfor positioning a length of a metallic binding element below a box onthe support, forked arms adapted to engage the portions of the elementprojecting beyond opposite sides of the box, means for elevating saidarms to lay said element upon opposite sides of the box, a pair of toolsadapted to engage the portions of the element projecting beyond the topof the box, means for projecting said tools into engagement with saidelement and into the plane of the side and bottom portions of theelement whereby the end portions of the element are positioned inoverlapping relationship adjacent the top of the box, and means forsecuring said overlapping end portions together, all of said meansfunctioning automatically and in timed sequence.

11. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, a box support, meansfor positioning a length of a metallic binding element below a box onthe support, forked arms adapted to engage the portions of the elementprojecting beyond opposite sides of the box, a pair of tools adapted toengage the portions of the element projecting beyond the top of the box,means for projecting said tools into the plane of the side and bottomportions of the element, means for forcing said tools in oppositedirections whereby the end portions of the element are laid inoverlapping relation ship adjacent the top of the box, and means forsecuring said overlapping end portions together, all of said meansfunctioning automatically and in timed sequence.

12. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, a box support, meansfor feeding a' length of metallic binding element beneath a box on thesupport, and means for cutting said element from the source of supplywhereby equal portions of said severed element extend beyond oppositesides of the box.

13. In a machie for binding boxes and the like, a box support, a clutchcontrolled source of power,'means driven from said source of power forprojecting a length of said ele nient below a box on the support, meansanmy hand.

tomatically operable for severing said element from said source ofsupply, and means for positioning the severed length of said elementabout the box.

14. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, an electric motor,means driven by said motor for withdrawing a length of a metallicbinding element from a source of motor for withdrawing a length of ametallic binding element from a source of supply, means driven by themotor for encompassing a box with the length of binding element thuswithdrawn with the ends of the element in overlapping relationship,means driven by the motor for positioning welding electrodes adjacentthe overlapping portion of the element, and an electric switch openedand closed by said motor for controlling the period of energization ofsaid electrodes.

16. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, an electric motor,means driven by said motor for withdrawing a length of a metallicbinding element from a source of supply, means driven by the motor forencompassing a box with the length of binding element thus withdrawnwith the ends of the element in overlapping relationship, a pair ofwelding electrodes, means driven by the motor for positioning saidwelding electrodes adjacent the overlapping portion of the element, anelectric switch opened and closed by said motor for controlling theperiod of energization of said electrodes, a clutch interconnect ingsaid ,motor with all of said motor driven means, and means operable atthe end of a complete cycle'of operations to automatically disengagesaid clutch. I

17. In a machine for binding boxes and the like, means for encompassinga box with a metallic binding element and for securing the bindingelement in this position, and means operable during the operating periodof said first mentioned means for positioning another binding elementbeneath the box in readiness for a succeeding binding operation.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set ALBERT v. SULLIVAN.

